Peter Douglas, the late executive director of the California Coastal Commission often said, “The coast is never saved, its always being saved.”

In 2010, the people of Richmond held a referendum in which they voted overwhelmingly against plans for a mega-casino on the largely undeveloped Point Molate headland, a unique environmental jewel for the city and the San Francisco Bay region. Point Molate includes native grasslands, trees and wildlife. There have even been reports of a cougar feeding on mule deer on its uplands. Plus it harbors some of the most productive waters on the bay where herring come to lay their eggs and seals and ospreys to catch fish.

Since the casino plan was voted down, Point Molate’s public beach has reopened and city schools have begun taking field trips to explore this public wonder. On Nov. 21, the Richmond City Council and mayor voted unanimously to hold three public hearings on any possible future development plans for Point Molate.

But Jim Levine, the casino developer, never gave up on his original bet. He’s been suing the city for a payout — preferably a land development deal — for eight years while consistently losing in a series of court cases. This year, however, after an appellate court ruling, a judge told the city to settle or the case would go to trial.

Now Mayor Tom Butt, who disbanded a citizens advisory committee on Point Molate because, like Levine, he’d prefer to see private development on this largest of the city’s public lands, is pushing hard for a settlement. On March 20, in a closed-door session, the mayor seems to have convinced a council majority that anything less than giving Jim Levine land-development rights or a huge cash payout would bankrupt the city.

Community land-use advocates remain skeptical, pointing out that Butt and Levine favor developing Richmond’s shoreline for upscale development instead of concentrating on Richmond’s critical need for a wide range of housing options with amenities in the downtown and central-city area. This approach is accelerating the displacement of middle- and low-income families from the city already underway.

Smart community-based planning for Point Molate could lead in another direction that balances the economy, environment and equity in everyone’s interest. As the city continues its boom with some 40 new developments and a ferry terminal coming later this year, Point Molate remains an invaluable public resource that holds immense potential for public benefit now and in the future when shoreline parks will also help protect us from rising seas. It would be a shame to toss it away like a poker chip.

It’s past time for tolerating secret backroom deals struck among self-interested parties. Before any private land use of Point Molate is determined there has to be the transparent public planning process already committed to by the City Council. The purpose of our courts and elected officials should be to uphold democracy and public participation, not suppress it.

David Helvarg is a Richmond resident, author and executive director of Blue Frontier, an ocean conservation and policy group.